Electricity Commercial Code

Working with industry to shape the future of electricity code management

Two electricity codes are becoming one, and we’re taking part in the assessment to become the future Code Manager. Find out what’s changing, what it means for the industry, and how you can get involved.

What is the Electricity Commercial Code (ECC)?

Ofgem plans to bring together two existing electricity codes into a single Electricity Commercial Code (ECC):

Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA)
Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC)

The long-term aim is to create a single, streamlined governance framework, making the rules easier to find, understand and follow. Ofgem is leading this work as part of Phase 2 of its Code Reform programme.

Why is RECCo involved?

In June 2026, Ofgem invited RECCo to take part in the licensing assessment for the future ECC Code Manager role.

Being part of the assessment does not mean RECCo has been appointed as the future Code Manager. The process concludes with Ofgem deciding whether to grant the ECC Code Manager licence.

On 28 August 2026, we submitted our licensing assessment to Ofgem. It sets out RECCo’s suitability to operate as the Code Manager for the ECC, covering five areas:

service provision capability
value for money to industry and consumers
stakeholder management capability
expertise in applying the code objectives
code change and project management capability

Ofgem is now assessing our submission. Later this year, Ofgem will decide whether to propose granting RECCo the ECC Code Manager licence, and there will be an opportunity to respond to a consultation on that decision before the outcome is finalised.

Planning for the next phase

We’re now starting the detailed work to set up the future ECC Code Manager. We will work in parallel with the continued operation of CUSC and DCUSA. Our approach has three stages:

Engage: Set up the right way for stakeholders to give their views and inform our thinking, using the knowledge that already sits in the CUSC and DCUSA communities.
Discovery: Understand what exists today, what works well, and where there are opportunities to improve across governance, operations, systems, services, and capability.
Design: Develop a detailed implementation plan, governance framework, and operational delivery model, including appropriate timelines and milestones, and secure the necessary funding.

To support this, we will create a Transition Working Group for delivery details, an Advisory Group for oversight and challenge, and a broader engagement model so that any party can take part. We’ll confirm membership and dates over the coming weeks.

This is a multi-year change, with go-live likely in early 2028. The decisions that shape the long-term success of the ECC Code Manager are already being planned. That is why taking part early matters.

What changes now?

Nothing is changing for CUSC and DCUSA until ECC go-live – they will continue to operate as they do now, run by the same code bodies and overseen by the same panels. For parties to either code, obligations, modification processes, and day-to-day contacts remain unchanged.

We’re committed to keeping stakeholders informed throughout, and we welcome questions, feedback and constructive challenge as the future model develops.

What this means:

If you’re a party to CUSC or DCUSA: Keep working with your code as you do today, and we’ll flag anything that would affect you. You don’t need to be part of an existing forum to take part, whatever your size. Sign up below, and we’ll make sure you’re invited and kept informed.
If you sit on a panel or run or administer a code today: Your panel or code continues as it is now. We’ll work closely with panels and the current code bodies as the future model is designed.

Where we are in the journey

Selection

January 2026 - June 2026

Expressions of interest invited

RECCo selected on 1 June for the next phase

Licensing assessment

June 2026 - August 2026

Proposal developed and submitted to Ofgem on 28 August

Planning for transition

From September 2026

Working with industry to shape the future ECC arrangements

Engagement steps up

Ofgem decision, grant and go-live

From late 2026

Ofgem’s decision is expected in late 2026

We’re at the planning for transition stage right now. The above dates are a guide. We’ll keep you updated as plans are confirmed.

Where we are now

On 28 August 2026, we submitted our licensing assessment to Ofgem, setting out our vision for how RECCo would operate as the Code Manager for the Electricity Commercial Code (ECC). This follows months of work and conversations with stakeholders across the industry. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their expertise, experience and challenge with us along the way.

From September, we’ll continue working with industry to develop our plans for the future ECC Code Manager, while CUSC and DCUSA continue to operate as normal. This next phase will also see more opportunities to engage with us, including webinars, workshops and discussions with a wider range of stakeholders. What we heard from you helped shape our licensing assessment, and it will continue to inform our planning. Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far.

What comes next

Some important questions sit outside the current phase and will be worked through during transition, into 2027 and beyond:

Bringing the codes together: Ofgem is leading the initial thinking on the code consolidation of CUSC and DCUSA into a single code, against the objectives set out in its code consolidation work. Workgroups and consultation are expected into 2027, with fuller consolidation and simplification following once the licence is granted.
Developing the funding model: The funding arrangements for the future ECC Code Manager will be developed by Ofgem. Making sure costs are allocated fairly and transparently will be an important part of the future model.

This work does not redesign the existing commercial arrangements. The detailed design and transition approach will be developed with Ofgem, the current code bodies, and wider industry.

Our commitment

Throughout the transition, we will:

continue to deliver the REC effectively and meet our existing code and licence obligations
make sure REC Parties are not disadvantaged by our participation
communicate openly about our proposals and progress
support the continued operation of CUSC and DCUSA
keep REC and ECC governance, funding, and accountability appropriately separated
develop a future model that supports code governance, is independent and is implemented as economically and efficiently as is reasonably practicable.

What's coming up

Get involved in future engagement and help shape our proposed approach.

Who should be involved?

We want to hear from anyone who is a party to CUSC or DCUSA, or who works with the electricity commercial code arrangements. Whether you sit on a Panel, work closely with these codes, or simply want a say in how the future arrangements are developed, now is the time to get involved.

What you can expect to see next

Our first ECC webinar (expected late September/early October). Sign up below to get the invitation.
Workshops and discussions as the working groups are set up.
Regular updates on this page, including engagement opportunities and what we’re hearing from stakeholders.
Details of the Transition Working Group, Advisory Group, and wider engagement as they are confirmed.